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Sunday, November 16, 2014

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1931.List of Prize Winners.Yellow standards and yellow falls :-C.O.M. : To Mr. H. Chadburn for the iris Golden Hind. It really is a startling bit of colour. Picture the deepest buttercup yellow and add the warmth of a faint tint of orange and you will have the tone that floods the whole of a very neatly-formed flower.Unfortunately, as shown it was very dwarf and although the judges recognised this might be due to it being a first year spike, they could not do more than give it the bare recognition of a certificate of merit on this occasion. See illustration, page 15. (below).Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April 1935, Number 57.Iris Observations and comments from the South. Sam Graham, Georgia.Probably the greatest improvement was most noticeable in yellows. Happy Days, Lady Paramount, Alice Harding, Eclador, California Gold, and Alta California are all wonderful iris. A newcomer is Golden Hind' an English introduction. As I saw it in McDade's garden it was quite outstanding especially its color; the best I have seen in any yellow. Had it better form and taller stalk I could conceive of nothing finer in the deep yellows. It is one iris I must have.Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1935, Number 58.Iris Notes of 1935, Mrs Thomas Nesmith.Golden Hind impressed me as a brilliant yellow of very deep tone, set off by the intense orange-yellow beard, but the flowers although 'well formed, are not large and the short bloom stalks are most disappointing.Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1935, Number 59.Iris Pilgrimage, 1935, Bruce C. Maples.Golden Hind comes from England. It is a stylish flower and clump. No, it does not have a tall stalk but the whole thing, plant, stalk and flower is symmetrical and I could not gaze on the beauty of it and recognize any defects. A good ,warm yellow.

Courtesy Yearbook I.S. (E) 1931.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1936.

Notes on Bearded Irises, H. Chadburn.

GOLDEN HIND.

In the Autumn of 1926 I was the first purchaser of Iris W. R. Dykes. There were then only three plants available and the price was, I believe the highest ever obtained for an iris viz., £21. The following June, Iris W.R.Dykes flowered and I was not pleased with my purchase. It had been brought as the most wonderful yellow self that had ever been raised. Originally Iris W. R. Dykes was a yellow self, but by time it flowered for me the brown streaks had appeared, and the most impressive point about this flower was its size.

The blemish in Iris W. R. Dykes was the direct cause of Iris Golden Hind coming into existence. I would endeavour to produce a W. R. Dykes that was a pure self. This started my hybridising. Gold Imperial was the chosen mate, because it was the purest and deepest yellow I had come across. It also had to a certain extent, a crispness of substance. That Gold Imperial was made the seed parent instead of W. R. Dykes, I have no opinion to give. This particular cross does not germinate well ; only four seedlings came up, and Golden Hind was the only one that was pure colour. It was also the first iris that I was to exhibit. This cross was made every year and from a large sized seed pan, about 12 germinated, and if kept to the following year, there would be another 12. Usually the parts were robust, and soft rot the only enemy.

From this cross all colours appear. Pink, red and blue, and after five years of raising this seed, there have only been three worth retaining,viz. : Golden Hind, Mabel Chadburn and another very fine yellow, as deep as Hind, but with quite another character. This I do not expect to show as it has faults that may be eliminated with further breeding breeding. This seed as also produced all shades of yellow between lemon and that of Golden Hind. The fault which troubles me most in Golden Hind is that it continues to grow strongly until late autumn. It is then too advanced for the coming winter. This defect is inherited from Iris W. R. Dykes. Golden Hind is a strong grower and of rapid increase. It does not fade or bleach. The colour becomes deeper with age. It has a better constitution than Iris W. R. Dykes, but there is a tendency to increase too much. But by flower will be produced by planting a medium-size rhizome.

I am not using Iris W. R. Dykes any further as I have obtained what I require from it. And the faults of this iris are so definite that they should not be handed on to another generation.

Golden Hind is an excellent seed parent, but it will not accept pollen from Iris W. R. Dykes.

I raised the following cross :- G. P. Baker X Gold Imperial, Gold Imperial X G. P. Baker, 200 of each, my object being a good stalk and better coloured flower. Out of the 400 seedlings only three had satisfactory stalks. The colour and constitution of these three plants was good. They have now been crossed with Golden Hind and some will flower this June.

Quality Gardens, Iris, Freeport, Illinois. Iris 1937
GOLDEN HIND (Chadburn 1934) M . 38". The sensation
of the Chelsea show three years ago. The large flowers a real
dazzling buttercup yellow, with a faint orange tinge and the
flower is greatly enriched by a vivid orange beard . The stems
are strong and widely branched . $15.00
Dykes Medal, English Iris Show, 1934.

The picture of another yellow Golden Hind, raised by Mr. Chadburn, which received the Dykes Memorial Medal in 1936, should be studied for the form of its single flower. It is a cross between W. R. Dykes and Gold Imperial (a very pure yellow raised by Miss Sturtevant), and the latter was used as the seed-bearing parent. It is a good and well-balanced flower with a smoothness that is highly attractive.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1938, Number 71.
Official Variety Notes, 1938.
'GOLDEN HIND' (Chadburn).-A superb yellow of the fine rich warm tone
with an orange ,beard, flaring falls and excellent form. Not tall, but
tall enough for its large flowers. (Canada.) Low growing but a gorgeous
mass of real yellow. (Pa.) Not very large or tall, but for color
unsurpassed. Sets a standard for color in new yellows to come. (Ill.)
Richest buttercup yellow, but stalk and branching below par. (Mass.) Has
not been beaten for richness and depth of color, but is excelled by
other yellows in height, form and size. A very popular iris in the
garden. (Ill.) A lovely rich color of yellow when well grown, otherwise
it makes a poor appearance. (Tenn.)Stevens Bros. Bulls, New Zealand. Catalogue of Irises
1938-39.Novelties and Recent Introductions.GOLDEN HIND (Chadburn)This remarkable deep golden yellow which has created such a sensation in England. It is the deepest toned golden yellow in commence today. The constitution is vigorous and it is a quick increaser. 2½.ft..........................................................21/-Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon, 1938.GOLDEN HIND Each $10.00No yellow iris in commerce contains the deep buttercup tone of this English origination. There are larger new yellows, but certainly there are none so nearly the ideal in clear rich color. The tone deepens at the haft, due partly to the vivid orange beard. Stems seen last season were three feet in height and finely branched. While not a large iris. Golden Hindis sufficient in size to merit a place amongst the most recent sorts. Schreiners Iris Gardens Riverview Station, St. Paul, Minnesota. Irises for 1940.GOLDEN HIND (Chadburn 1934) M. 30"One of the most colorful rich yellows, being a bright clear buttercup yellow. Not large, it has a richness and depth of color possessed by few of the very newest varieties. Floriferous and rapid increaser; stunning color.$1.00 : 3 for $2.25The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1942.Bearded Flag Irises-An Initial Thirty, F.Wynn Hellings.2. GOLDEN HIND. A splendid yellow self, good increaser and regular bloomer, of good form and proportion, a good doer in all districts. The stem only just tops 3 feet; a few inches longer would be an improvement.

'Golden Hind' growing against the house at 'Greenhaugh'.

The Tall Bearded Iris, Nicholas Moore, 1st. Ed.
1956. Yellow Irises.Of the other yellows GOLDEN HIND is still a popular flower.
It's raiser, Haworthe Chadburn, was a painter who preferred sombre
and purple landscapes, but devoted his spare time to raising
nothing but yellow irises. He bought W.R.DYKES when it was
introduced in 1926, at the price of Twenty guineas, and from his
many seedlings eventually produced GOLDEN HIND, a rich yellow of
orange tone. Later on there were other offspring of this line, and
the three final introductions bear comparison even with many later
irises. MABEL CHADBURN is a rich lightly ruffled yellow, JOAN LAY
a deep orange-yellow of particularly good habit for the garden,
and the latest, GRACE TETLEY, a rich buttercup yellow with a
slightly green tinge.Irises, Harry Randall, Chapter 7, A Cavalcade of Colours.
Yellow Irises.
After the appearance of Golden Hind (Chadburn 1934) there was not
much scope for more intense colouring in the yellow irises but its
seedling Mabel Chadburn (1939) had better form and won the Dykes
Medal in 1941.

This Iris and the story of its hybridiser makes it one of my
favourites.Top photo taken a few hours after blooms had opened fully. Bottom photo shows darker colours taken in different location, different environment and different soil.
In New Zealand you find 'Golden Hind' growing successfully a lot in the ground beneath the eaves of older houses
where the soil is a lot dryer than other parts of the gardens which has the effect of slowing 'Golden Hind's' rampant growth, and Mr. Chadburn covers this problem in the above 1936 article, 'Notes on Bearded Irises' . Its a high health
plant with a light green foliage. Bloom stalks are generally just 30-32 inches in height. Blooms are
sensational and hues become darker as the flower ages. Form also becomes
more dog-eared with age. Fertile. More on Mr. Chadburn and his yellow Irises in a later post.A Major hat tip to Lyyne and Les Atkins, owners of the most amazing Greenhaugh Garden and Nursery for allowing me the freedom of her garden.
Also a major hat tip to Phil Edinger for his succinct observations, and discussions which are always appreciated.
As always clicking on the above images will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Stunning Iris from New Zealand's late Ron Busch. For those who do not know I did communicate with Ron Busch regularly and in 2008 we discussed several of his about to be registered irises. One of the discussed was the iris 'Irwell Thanksgiving' and its pedigree. I have scanned Ron's handwritten notes regarding 'Irwell Thanksgiving' which indicate the genetic material used to produce the iris, and whilst not in the format of the official checklists it is hugely better than just a checklist entry 'Parentage Unknown'. The 2012 written prediction by one member in particular of the NZIS that Rons Irises "will pass into obscurity as unknowns" is quite frankly risible, and shows the predictors complete lack of knowledge and respect of Ron's Iris breeding history. (Maybe an apology will be forthcoming Peter?? You can write it in the comments if you like)

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

One of the all time greats of French Tall Bearded Iris breeding. Carl Salbach summed it up when in his 1949 Catalog (some 18 years after it's introduction) he wrote the following regarding 'Marquita', "Described by one of the A.I.S. judges as 'One of the most unique of all… American should give it its highest award". Overlooked in the awarding of the French Dykes Medal because it was so late of bloom that most of the judges missed it."Now that's impressive!!

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1930,
"New Irises in France, Irises seen at the Nurseries of Messrs.
Cayeux et Le Clerc ", page 89, Olive Murrell and Percy
Murrell.4383 (Marquita) This is an enormous Iris similar in
colour tones to Minnehaha. The standards are apricot-yellow and
the falls are streaked with red.

Cayeux & Le Clerc, Quai de la Mègisserie, 8, Paris. Catalog 1931.Marquita (Cayeux 1931) A strong
plant, robust well branched 3 feet stems. S. very large, ivory
deepening light yellow at the margins, large sulphur yellow styles,
droping falls of same colour adorned with distinct ochraceous maroon
lines running almost evenly from base to apex giving a striking novel
appearance, this more pronounced on the first day, as the flower shade,
it turn to a darker redder suffusion leaving an ivory white margin. A
very attractive flower for its large challis-like standards and for the
quaint drooping of the falls. Could be most valuable for breeding
purposes as for landscape effect. Height 3 feet.The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1931,"Irises in France", page 42, G.
L. Pilkington.
*** Marquita (4383) This is a most attractive
variety, and seen flowering in mass was most telling. The flowers
are of great size, and borne on 3 ft. stems with fair branching
habits. The standards are of clearest ivory yellow, of the size
"Helios" and the falls, which are hanging, are of a pale raspberry
red with darker streakings. Whilst the flowers is in bud and early
stages the standards have a pin line fringe of red around the
edges. A "Helios" seedling. (To be sent out this year)

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October, 1933. Number 49.
Comments on 1933 Ratings, Sherman R. Duffy.Marquita (Cay.) (87). Much more striking in a group than as a
single stalk. The huge creamy standards set off by the red-veined
falls can be seen across the garden. The judges applied their
discounts chiefly to form and stalk.

Quality Gardens, Iris, Freeport, Illinois. Iris 1933.
MARQUITA (Mar-kee-ta) (Cayeux 1931)
A very attractive new variety. A Helios seeding, it resembles the parent
plant in its huge size and fine form. Standards clearest ivory yellow,
falls almost the same shade with ruby lines running almost evenly from
base to apex, as the flower ages the center of the falls turns red,
leaving a creamy rim edging the flower. A new thrill every day it
blooms.Certificate of Merit, S.N.H.F...................................................$30.00 Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 1933.NEW IRISES from FRANCE
TWO years ago American iris enthusiasts visiting in France brought home
glowing accounts of three new seedlings produced by that master
hybridist, M. Cayeux, of Paris. Of course he exhibited thousands of
seedlings in his gardens, but three of them were especially fine and
excited comment from every English and American visitor. As soon as we
heard about them we promptly ordered a few rhizomes of each, and despite
their long journey over the Atlantic and thence across the United
States, they reached us in splendid condition and flowered beautifully
the following May. These new irises, which will be released from Federal
Quarantine about July 1st, are herewith offered for the first time in America.......MARQUITA. A well named iris in brilliant luminous ivory yellow and ochraceous maroon. The standards are ivory deepening to sulphur at the base ; the falls are of the same color but are heavily and entirely lined with dark but brilliant maroon, giving to the flower a most striking and novel appearance. Limited stock.Each $12.00

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April, 1934. Number 51.
Iris Memories, Edward Salbach.Never have I found a surer way of judging the merit of a new
iris than by waiting till long after the blooming season and
then looking backwards to see which have remained in In my
memory. Those that "stick," I can unquestionably consider as
outstanding.The iris that I cannot definitely place or which
seem only vaguely familiar are not generally deserving among the
very best. In memory now, in the midst of winter, I can recall
fifteen new iris that etched a place for themselves in my
memory. These fine iris I place in my own personal honor roll of
newest iris........................
MARQUITA - A huge variegata from France, with cream standards and
falls lined light red, evidently derived from Helios parentage.Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April,
1935. Number 57.
Varietal Notes, 1934. M. E. Douglas, New JerseyMarquita, I have seen in one garden each year for three
successive years, that is, three different and widely separated
gardens, and each time on a one year plant. I consider its color
most distinctive and remember-able.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July, 1935. Number 58.Iris Notes of 1935, Mrs Thomas Nesmith.
Marquita is a delicately beautiful iris and most unusual in color
with its creamy standards and rose pink falls, the heavy venation
seems to add rather than detract from the flower. It was a first
year plant and the falls had a tendency to tuck under, but I have
been told that when well established it does not have this fault.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October, 1936. Number 63.
The Annual Meeting, Eleanor P. Jones.Mr. McKee's in Worcester was our first stop. In his garden of
comparatively small extent we saw iris superbly grown and in
splendid condition. Marquita, an introduction of Cayeux, seemed to
draw everyone to it at once, very tall and of fine form with
creamy yellow standard and falls of the same but striped with
rosy~pink.

Stevens Bros. Nurserymen, Bulls, New Zealand, Catalogue of Irises 1937-38.
Novelties and Recent Introductions
MARQUITA (Cayeux)
One of the finest of the new French Introductions. Exceptionally
large flowers of most unusual colouring. The standards are clear
creamy yellow, frostily lustrous. The falls are cream, heavily
lined rose pink that it seems more like a suffusion than a lining
at the end of the petals. 3½ ft. 30/-
Williamson, Iris 1936, The Longfield Iris Farm.
Marquita (Cay 1930) C.M., SNHF 1932. Very large well rounded flowers
of creamy yellow, the F pencilled or lined ruby from base to apex.
Tall and quite distinct. 42inches.

National Iris Gardens, Beaverton, Oregon, 21st Catalog, 1937MARQUITA
(Cayeux) 40". An enormous and stunning flower of deep
rich ivory with F. so heavily striped bright maroon that they
appear to be solidly colored to the ivory margin. It attracts
attention because of the gigantic unlined standards which are much
larger than the falls. A.M. 1936

Schreiners Iris Garden, Riverview Station, St Paul, 7, Minnesota. An Iris Lovers Catalog, 1937.
Marquita (Cayeux 1931) L.34". An amoena type in cream and
watermelon rose.It is luminous cream standards. "silken,hushed,
and chaste" are the last word in serene but warm exquisiteness. The
watermelon-rose falls are veined rather than solidly colored. A
very lovely iris.

Carl Salbach Berkeley, California, German or Bearded Iris
Catalog, 1937.
Marquita. (Cayeux). One of he finest French Iris ever produced. A
remarkable variety which should eventually find its way into the
gardens of all iris lovers. Described by one of the A.I.S. judges
as 'One of the most unique of all… American should give it its
highest award". Overlooked in the awarding of the French Dykes
Medal because it was so late of bloom that most of the judges
missed it. Perhaps the largest of all variegatas, but so
distinctly different in coloring from the average variegata that
it hardly seems to belong under the same classification. Simply
huge blooms, standards of clear creamy yellow, frostily lustrous
and with falls of cream, but so heavily lined rose pink that it
seems more like a suffusion than a lining at the end of the
petals. Late. 42 inch. A.M. A.I.S 1936

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Plantes 1938.
Marquita (Cayeux 1931). Divisions supérieures énormes, blanc d’ivoire,
styles très larges, soufrés. Divisions inférieures à fond ivoire tout
réticulé et chargé de rouge fraise écrasée s’éclairant sur les bords en
blanc jaunâtre. Hampe solide et ramifiée. Certificat de mérite de la
S.N.H.F.Robert Wayman Bayside, New York. Catalog for 1940-41.
MARQUITA (Cayeux 1931) Given an Award of Merit by the American
Iris Society in 1936. If I were to select a dozen outstanding Iris
from the thousands of varieties that have been introduced to date,
Marquita would be one of the dozen. It is so unusual and so
beautiful that it is always wanted by anyone who sees it in bloom,
but this is the first time it has been offered at a moderate
price. It is a magnificent French creation, that has given us
something entirely new in Iris, for it is in a class all by
itself. The huge flowers are of brilliant smooth ivory, with an
eggshell finish, with brilliant ruby lines running almost evenly
from base to apex of falls. As the flower ages the centre of the
flower turns solid red leaving a cream colored border."Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris
Catalog 1937. MARQUITA. A well named iris in brilliant ivory yellow, with
ochraceous maroon veinings on the falls. The standards are ivory
deepening to sulphur at the base, and so large that they
constitute the major portion of the flower. Falls are of the same
color, but entirely lined maroon. This very late novelty was one
of the two or three most popular things among our visitors last
season.Each $2.00; 3 for $5.00Oakhurst Gardens, Arcadia, California. Iris 1939.
MARQUITA (Cayeux) A favorite from France.
Huge flowers of creamy yellow with falls heavily lined rose-pink,
blending into a water-color wash at the end of the petals. It
never fails to attract attention to itself. 36 inMilliken Gardens, 385 W. Colorado Street, Arcadia, California, Irises 1948
MARQUITA (Cayeux)
Something entirely different that is so striking that it immediately
attracts your attention. The standards are a very clear ivory flushed
with yellow and the falls are the same color, evenly veined with
brilliant ruby lines. The petals are stiff and round, giving a very trim
appearance to the flower. If you wish to light up a spot in your garden
with gay colors, try a clump of Marquita. Over 3 feet tall and a strong grower .............................40c ; 3 for $1 .00

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man".

George Bernard Shaw

WELCOME

HERITAGE IRISES

INDEPENDENT ALWAYS

Welcome to Heritage Irises, and
do make yourself at home. The blog shares the magic of Irises and
will feature some very special New Zealand raised varieties
including the brilliance of our very own Jean Stevens (1900-1967).
Each and every iris growing in New Zealand are a part of our Iris
Heritage and will all become historic or heirloom irises one day so
why not start early and give them all a good home! Writing and
researching about heirloom irises is just a hobby and the blog is my
diary notes and observations of the Irises I grow and like at
home.I'm really enjoying myself, although blogging is a lot like a
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They took all the trees And put them in a tree museum Then they charged the people A dollar and a half just to see 'emDon't it always seem to go,That you don't know what you've got 'Til it's gone They paved paradise And put up a parking lot Yellow Taxi

Joni Mitchell

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